Protective Garment and Related Methods

ABSTRACT

A garment is provided that includes an outer tubular garment portion and an inner tubular garment portion that are each fabricated from the same, continuous piece of protective material. By being formed from continuous portion of material, a user is provided with protection from ingress of fluids around an appendage when such fluid might be otherwise introduced through breaks in the material that rely entirely on a circumferential seam to secure separate pieces of material together. The inner tubular portion is not removable or severable from the outer tubular garment portion but is extendible to allow a user flexibility of use (e.g., stretching) without sacrificing performance. A method of creating a circumferentially continuous fluid impervious seal is also provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Protective garments are worn in various settings including healthcare, construction, public service, mining, sporting events/activities and in various other settings. Such protective garments are often utilized for their ability to provide resistance to fluid penetration. Such fluids may contain hazardous materials that are harmful to exposed skin.

Protective garments that include an inner cuff in a sleeve or pants leg typically utilize an additional piece of fabric that is positioned approximately a few inches up from the hemline of an outer sleeve cuff. This type of inner cuff is applied prior to an inseam being sealed and then the cuff is sealed as a separate operation. An elastic rubber band is then hemmed into the inner cuff opening creating an area that is difficult to seal from leaking when introduced to a liquid thereby causing liquids to come in contact with a user's skin. Accordingly, there remains a need for a garment design that aids in the protection of a user from exposure to liquids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect, a garment fabricated from a continuous protective material is provided. The garment includes an outer tubular garment portion comprising an outer cuff portion formed from a fold in the protective material and an inner tubular garment portion fabricated from the protective material of the outer tubular portion such that no circumferential breaks are present in the protective material. The inner tubular portion terminates in an inner cuff having an opening. According to one embodiment, the inner cuff includes one or more elastic members positioned between an outer fabric layer and an inner fabric layer of the inner cuff to form the opening. According to one embodiment, the opening is circumferentially expandable. According to one embodiment, the protective material is water repellant, waterproof, or water resistant. According to one embodiment, the inner cuff forms a water resistant seal with a user. According to one embodiment, the outer tubular garment portion and inner tubular garment portion share a single, longitudinal, continuous inseam. According to one embodiment, the outer tubular garment portion forms a sleeve. According to one embodiment, the outer tubular garment portion forms a pant leg. According to one embodiment, a circumferentially continuous fluid impervious seal may be formed with a glove when a glove cuff is donned over the inner cuff. According to one embodiment, a circumferentially continuous fluid impervious seal may be formed with a boot when a boot top portion is donned over the inner cuff. According to one embodiment, the inner cuff is fabricated from a sufficient length of continuous protective material from the outer tubular portion such that the inner cuff is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. According to one embodiment, an exterior surface of the outer tubular garment portion includes at least one hook and loop fastener connection. According to one embodiment, the hook and loop fastener connection secures the inner cuff in either a retracted position or extended position when engaged. According to one embodiment, the outer cuff includes a plurality of stitches to secure and reverse the direction of the protective material back against an inner surface of the outer tubular portion and form a fold. According to one embodiment, wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of a jacket, coat, long sleeve shirt, pants, or bib overalls.

According to another aspect, a method of creating a circumferentially continuous fluid impervious seal is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a garment as provided herein and donning the garment to form a circumferentially continuous fluid impervious seal. According to one embodiment, the garment is a jacket, coat, long sleeve shirt, pants, or bib overalls. According to one embodiment, the continuous fluid impervious seal is formed at a wrist or ankle. According to one embodiment, the circumferentially continuous fluid impervious seal is formed with a boot when a boot top portion is donned over the inner cuff. According to one embodiment, the circumferentially continuous fluid impervious seal is formed with a glove when a glove cuff is donned over the inner cuff.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top, perspective view of a garment as provided herein according to one embodiment with the inner cuff substantially retracted.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a garment as provided herein according to one embodiment with the inner cuff substantially extended and secured.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a garment as provided herein according to one embodiment with the inner cuff substantially extended and unsecured.

FIG. 4 is a side, cross-sectional view of a garment as provided herein according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a side, cross-sectional view of a garment as provided herein according to one embodiment engaged with a glove.

FIG. 6 is a side, cross-sectional view of a garment as provided herein according to one embodiment engaged with a boot.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a garment as provided herein according to one embodiment shown inside out and fully extended.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof. These exemplary embodiments are described so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Indeed, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in the specification, and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, “the”, include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used in the specification, and in the appended claims, the words “optional” or “optionally” mean that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur.

As used herein, the term “protective material” refers to a material that is water repellant, waterproof, or water resistant.

As used herein, the term “water repellant” refers to the ability to not be easily penetrated by water or other liquid.

As used herein, the term “waterproof” refers to being impervious to water or other liquid. The terms “waterproof” and “impervious” may be used interchangeably.

As used herein, the term “water resistant” refers to the ability to substantially but not fully prevent the penetration of water or other liquid.

As used herein, the term “watertight” refers to being closely sealed, fastened or fitted so as to substantially restrict or substantially prevent no water or other liquid from entering or passing through.

As used herein, the term “continuous” refers to the state of having no circumferential breaks or no circumferential seams between two materials.

A garment is provided that includes an outer tubular garment portion and an inner tubular garment portion that are each fabricated from the same, continuous piece of protective material. By being formed from continuous portion of material, a user is provided with improved and enhanced protection from ingress of fluids around an appendage when such fluid might be otherwise introduced through breaks in the material or seam sealing that rely entirely on a circumferential seam to secure to separate pieces of material together. By not having a circumferential break or circumferential seam, the protective material in the garment provided herein is continuous in nature thereby reducing entry points for liquids or fluids. The inner tubular portion is not removable from or severable from the outer tubular garment portion but is extendible to allow a user flexibility of use (e.g., stretching) without sacrificing performance.

FIGS. 1-7 provide a garment 100 as provided herein. All portions of the garment 100 are fabricated from a continuous protective material that exhibits water repellant, waterproof, or water resistant properties (or a combination thereof). Suitable protective materials include, but are not limited to, polyurethane, thermal polyurethane, polyvinylchloride, polyester, nylon with a polyurethane coating, or any combination thereof. The garment 100 includes an outer tubular garment portion 102. The outer tubular garment portion 102 includes an inner surface 104 (see FIGS. 4 and 7) and an exterior surface 106. According to one embodiment, the outer tubular garment portion 102 is a sleeve of a garment such as, for example, a shirt or jacket. According to one embodiment, the outer tubular garment portion 102 is pant leg. The outer tubular garment portion 102 includes an outer cuff portion 108 formed from a fold 110 in the protective material. The fold 110 is formed when the protective material is reversed in direction against the inner surface 104 of the outer tubular garment portion 102 and secured with a plurality of stitches 112. According to one embodiment, the material forming the thread for the stitches 112 may be the same or a different thread material of the outer tubular garment portion 102. Suitable thread materials include, but are not limited to, nylon, rayon, invisible thread, polyester, polyester blend, cotton, wool, silk, reflective thread, metallic thread, or a combination thereof.

The outer tubular garment portion 102 includes a hook and loop fastener system 114 on the exterior surface 106 to adjust the circumference of the outer cuff 108. According to the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the hook and loop fastener system 114 is shown in a secured position. According to the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, the hook and loop fastener system 114 is shown in an unsecured position. According to a specific embodiment, the hook and loop fastener system 114 is a fabric and clothing fastener marketed by VELCRO®.

The garment 100 also includes an inner tubular garment portion 116. The inner tubular garment portion 116 is fabricated from the same continuous protective material of the outer tubular portion 102. As such, there are no breaks, cuts or disruption in the protective material from the outer tubular portion 102 to the inner tubular portion 116. The inner tubular portion 116 terminates at an inner cuff 118 having an opening 120 through which the end of an appendage (not shown) may extend. According to one embodiment, the end of the appendage is a foot. According to another embodiment, the end of the appendage is a hand. The inner cuff 118 is fabricated from the continuous protective material of the outer tubular portion 102 and inner tubular portion 116. The inner tubular garment portion 116 is fabricated from a sufficient length of continuous protective material coming from the outer tubular portion 102 such that the inner tubular garment portion 116 is moveable between a retracted position as illustrated in FIG. 1 and an extended position as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. The extendibility allows for a user to extend an arm or leg beyond the outer cuff portion 108 while still maintaining coverage and security on the appendage with the inner tubular portion 116 and inner cuff 118. When a user anticipates repeated extension and retraction of an appendage, the hook and loop fastener system 114 may be loosened to allow extension of the inner tubular portion 116. When a user does not require repeated extension and retraction of an appendage, the hook and loop fastener system 114 may be secured tightly around the inner tubular portion 116. According to one embodiment, the inner cuff 118 forms a substantially water resistant seal with a user when an appendage is extended through the opening 120. According to one embodiment, the water resistant seal is formed with a user's wrist. According to one embodiment, the water resistant seal is formed with a user's ankle.

According to the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, the inner cuff 118 includes one or more elastic members 122 positioned between an outer fabric layer 124 and an inner fabric layer 126 of the inner cuff 118 to form an opening 120 (see FIG. 1). As illustrated, the opening 120 is circumferentially expandable. A circumferentially expandable opening 120 allows the opening 120 to maintain a water resistant seal with various sized user wrists and ankles. A seam 123 is formed from a plurality of stitches 121 near a terminal end 125 of the continuous material to retain the one or more elastic members 122 between the outer fabric layer 124 and the inner fabric layer 126 of the inner cuff 118. According to one embodiment, the material forming the thread for the stitches 121 may be the same or a different thread material of the outer tubular garment portion 102 and inner tubular garment portion 116. Suitable thread materials include, but are not limited to, nylon, rayon, invisible thread, polyester, polyester blend, cotton, wool, silk, reflective thread, metallic thread, or a combination thereof.

According to the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 5, a circumferentially continuous fluid impervious seal 127 may be formed when a glove cuff portion 128 of a glove 130 is donned over the inner cuff 118 and inner tubular garment portion 116 and below the outer cuff portion 108. According to such an embodiment, the circumferentially continuous fluid impervious seal 127 results from the combination of the glove cuff portion 128 being layered over the inner cuff 118 and inner tubular garment portion 116 yet below the outer cuff portion 108.

According to the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 6, a circumferentially continuous fluid impervious seal 131 may be formed when an upper boot portion 132 of a boot 134 is donned over the inner cuff 118 and inner tubular garment portion 116 and below the outer cuff portion 108. According to such an embodiment, the circumferentially continuous fluid impervious seal 131 results from the combination of an upper boot portion 132 being layered over the inner cuff 118 and inner tubular garment portion 116 yet below the outer cuff portion 108.

FIG. 7 provides a top view of an inside out garment 100 as provided herein according to one embodiment with the inner tubular garment portion 116 in a fully extended position from the outer tubular garment portion 102. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the outer tubular garment portion 102 is fully continuous with the inner tubular garment portion 112. Since FIG. 7 illustrates the garment turned inside out, the inner surface 104 of the outer tubular garment portion 102 and inner surface 136 of the inner tubular garment portion 116 are exposed. According to the orientation of the garment 100 illustrated in FIG. 7, an inseam 138 is shown in a middle portion of the outer tubular garment portion 102 and inner tubular garment portion 116. The outer tubular garment portion 102 and inner tubular garment portion 116 share a single, continuous, longitudinal inseam 138. The inseam 138 is formed from a plurality of stitches 140. According to one embodiment, the material forming the thread for the stitches 140 may be the same or a different thread material of the outer tubular garment portion 102 and inner tubular garment portion 116. Suitable thread materials include, but are not limited to, nylon, rayon, invisible thread, polyester, polyester blend, cotton, wool, silk, reflective thread, metallic thread, or a combination thereof.

The garment as provided herein may be utilized in various applications and settings where one or more fluids or liquids (e.g., water or hazardous fluid) are encountered and preferably restricted from coming in contact with the skin of a user such as a forearm or leg (e.g., calf area). According to one embodiment, the garment as provided herein is useful in various nonlimiting settings such as, for example, healthcare, construction, cleaning/power washing, public service, mining, sporting events/activities, waste management, food processing, or environmental clean-up.

A method of creating a circumferentially continuous fluid impervious seal is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a garment as provided herein and donning the garment to form a circumferentially continuous fluid impervious seal. According to one embodiment, the garment is a jacket, coat, long sleeve shirt, pants, or bib overalls. According to one embodiment, the continuous fluid impervious seal is formed at a wrist or ankle. According to one embodiment, the circumferentially continuous fluid impervious seal is formed with a boot when a boot top portion is donned over the inner cuff. According to one embodiment, the circumferentially continuous fluid impervious seal is formed with a glove when a glove cuff is donned over the inner cuff.

Although specific embodiments of the present invention are herein illustrated and described in detail, the invention is not limited thereto. The above detailed descriptions are provided as exemplary of the present invention and should not be construed as constituting any limitation of the invention. Modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and all modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the invention are intended to be included with the scope of the appended claims. 

I claim:
 1. A garment fabricated from a continuous protective material comprising: an outer tubular garment portion comprising an outer cuff portion formed from a fold in the protective material; and an inner tubular garment portion fabricated from the protective material of the outer tubular portion such that no circumferential breaks are present in the protective material, the inner tubular portion terminating in an inner cuff having an opening.
 2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the inner cuff includes one or more elastic members positioned between an outer fabric layer and an inner fabric layer of the inner cuff to form the opening.
 3. The garment of claim 2, wherein the opening is circumferentially expandable.
 4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the protective material is water repellant, waterproof, or water resistant.
 5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the inner cuff forms a water resistant seal with a user.
 6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the outer tubular garment portion and inner tubular garment portion share a single, longitudinal, continuous inseam.
 7. The garment of claim 1, wherein the outer tubular garment portion forms a sleeve.
 8. The garment of claim 1, wherein the outer tubular garment portion forms a pant leg.
 9. The garment of claim 1, wherein a circumferentially continuous fluid impervious seal is formed with a glove when a glove cuff is donned over the inner cuff.
 10. The garment of claim 1, wherein a circumferentially continuous fluid impervious seal is formed with a boot when a boot top portion is donned over the inner cuff.
 11. The garment of claim 1, wherein the inner cuff is fabricated from a sufficient length of continuous protective material from the outer tubular portion such that the inner cuff is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position.
 12. The garment of claim 1, wherein an exterior surface of the outer tubular garment portion includes at least one hook and loop fastener connection.
 13. The garment of claim 12, wherein the hook and loop fastener connection secures the inner cuff in either a retracted position or extended position when engaged.
 14. The garment of claim 1, wherein the outer cuff includes a plurality of stitches to secure and reverse the direction of the protective material back against an inner surface of the outer tubular portion and form the fold.
 14. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of a jacket, coat, long sleeve shirt, pants, or bib overalls.
 15. A method of creating a circumferentially continuous fluid impervious seal comprising: providing the garment of claim 1; and donning the garment to form a circumferentially continuous fluid impervious seal.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the garment is selected from the group consisting of a jacket, coat, long sleeve shirt, pants, or bib overalls.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the circumferentially continuous fluid impervious seal is formed at a wrist or ankle.
 18. The method of claim 15, wherein the circumferentially continuous fluid impervious seal is formed with a boot when a boot top portion is donned over the inner cuff.
 19. The method of claim 15, wherein the circumferentially continuous fluid impervious seal is formed with a glove when a glove cuff is donned over the inner cuff. 